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October 07, 2022
Test for waka ama on Pewhairangi course
Peter Verschaffelt
Posted On October 7, 2022
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Some of Aotearoa's toughest athletes hit the waters of Pewhairangi today for the biggest paddling event of the year.
Download AudioSome of Aotearoa’s toughest athletes hit the waters of Pewhairangi today for the biggest paddling event of the year.
Kai hoe from more than 60 clubs are in Waitangi for the two-day Long Distance Waka Ama Nationals.
Waka Ama chief executive Lara Collins says there are races from 16km for singles and 24km for the 6-man teams.
Competitors are aged from 11 to 70 plus.
She says it takes a different kind of athlete to take part.
“You have to be physically fit but also mentally tough to be able to paddle non stop, typically doing a marathon with your arms for two or three hours, and that requires a different sort of fitness and mental fortitude really,” Ms Collins says.
Conditions look great for racing over the weekend.
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